I spent Sunday morning hiking. It was nice to get back to my normal routine. These are flowers from the shrub called Silky Camellia, Stewartia malacodendron. It is always a delight to come across one growing in the woods. From a distance, your first thought on seeing one is what is that dogwood doing blooming so late? Then you get a little closer and realize that it's not a dogwood at all and the flowers are quite spectacular.
5 comments:
Doggone it - I haven't seen it! More trekking through the woods now.
And it *is* a camellia - family Theaceae the "tea family". I had to check.
What is our difference in times for flowering, Swampy? I'm in Athens - but it's seemed to me often that sometimes you see things before I do, and sometimes the other way around.
Anyway, a great post on your gradual return to normalcy.
These petals look so romantically soft . . .
*achooo!*
Wayne - we usually see this blooming in May, sometimes June. From what I've read, it's chiefly found in the coastal plain and tends to be rare into the piedmont and mountain regions.
Bloom-times this year have been a little odd. I was surprised to see the American holly just beginning to bloom yesterday. It is almost always done by this time. The yellow jessamine bloomed late as well and is just now finishing up.
SQMojo - the petals are beautiful. When the shrub is in full bloom it is a delight to the eye.
Not to worry, Mr. B, I'm pretty sure this flower relies on insects, not wind, to pollinate it. Shouldn't make you sneeze unless you stick your nose right in it.
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